If you have valuable assets and want to ensure that your estate and property are distributed as you wish upon your death, then a legal will may be your best option. A legal will can provide specific instructions on asset distribution, beneficiaries, memorial arrangements, and other important issues. A will must be carefully drafted to avoid challenges during probate and to make sure it is legally binding. In addition, a trust is another option that can help to avoid probate and allow the trustees to manage your estate after your death.
Regardless of the size of your estate, working with a Broward County wills and trust attorney can help you protect your family’s future. At your initial consultation, a lawyer will ask questions to understand your goals for financially protecting your family. They will also ask about any existing plans or documents you have in place. If you do not already have a will in place, a lawyer can assist you with creating one.
A Probate lawyer can also help with a range of estate planning issues, including property ownership, health care, and more. They can review your current assets and investments and offer advice on how to reduce taxes and avoid conflicts among your heirs. In some cases, an experienced lawyer can help you avoid probate altogether by transferring title of assets to a living revocable trust.
The Siegel Law Group, P.A. is a law firm that assists clients with probate matters in Pompano Beach and surrounding areas. Its attorneys have more than 50 years of combined experience. They handle personal representative and estate beneficiary representation, document preparation, and asset distribution. They can also aid with Medicaid planning, pet trusts, and veterans’ benefits.
Bostick Law Group, PLLC is a boutique law firm that serves clients in the Pompano Beach area. Their probate practice covers both uncontested summary administration and formal administration. They can also assist with estate planning and personal injury matters. Managing partner Michael T. Bostick has more than 30 years of experience in the field of law.
The Weston firm of Greenspoon Marder advises individuals on a variety of estate and tax planning issues, including drafting and reviewing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, and real estate transactions. They can also assist with tax-exempt entity formation and the preparation of prenuptial, postnuptial, and cohabitation agreements. They have a team of experienced attorneys that work with clients on various issues pertaining to estate and tax planning, probate, and trust litigation.
During probate, the court will identify all of the deceased person’s assets and debts. Then the estate will pay off debts and distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries. The process can be expensive, especially if there is no will. To save money, many people choose to create a will or trust. A trust can avoid probate, while a will requires that the assets be formally identified and transferred to the appropriate beneficiaries. A Lady Bird Deed, or Enhanced Life Estate Deed, can also avoid probate by allowing an elder person to retain full ownership of their house for their lifetime and pass title on their death to heirs without going through probate.
